Carillion Rail has joined forces with Austrian group SPL Powerlines to launch a new training facility in Doncaster.

The partnership has been prompted by Network Rail’s plans to invest £2 billion in a major electrification programme for UK railways.

Network Rail has named Carillion as one of the top tier preferred suppliers for the project and the agreement with SPL creates a joint workforce of around 1,000 experienced staff.

SPL has made a significant investment in creating a purpose-built training facility at its base on Potteric Carr Industrial Estate in Doncaster for staff who will be installing and maintaining the new overhead lines.

Carillion Rail’s managing director, Mark Davies, said: “This is an exciting time for Carillion Rail and we are delighted to be in partnership with SPL Powerlines.

“We have already secured early enabling work on the high profile Glasgow to Edinburgh Improvement Programme and our agreement with SPL Powerlines strengthens further our leading role in this market.

“SPL Powerlines is an established niche player for overhead line work and has a track record second to none across Central and Northern Europe. It is an ideal partnership for us.”

SPL’s chief executive, Gerhard Ehringer, said: “Our cooperation agreement with Carillion is a significant milestone for both companies and for the electrification market within the UK.

“As a Group and in conjunction with Carillion, we are committed to investing in resources, training of new staff and new plant for the UK market, and believe the shared objectives agreed in the Cooperation Agreement will benefit not just the two companies, but the greater electrification market place.”

“We have already invested heavily in the UK with the creation of a new state of the art facility in Doncaster, for storage, fabrication and plant servicing. The new facility has a 30 metre outdoor training span and test track, which coupled with our existing training spans, enables the whole of the UK to be serviced effectively.”